Big Blue Kickoff Live 10/30 | Keys to the 49ers Game

Madelyn Burke and Matt Citak talk about the keys to the 49ers game, talk about the Giants tight ends, and take calls from fans.

0:00 - 49ers chat

19:30 - Calls

29:00 - Giants pass rush

39:15 - Youtube questions

48:00 - More calls

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
It's time for a Big Blue Kickoff line. Nobody can
ever tell you that you couldn't do it because you're
on giants dot Com.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
Do you know what I saw?

Speaker 3 (00:12):
You?

Speaker 2 (00:12):
York Giant Crime.

Speaker 1 (00:14):
And the Giants Mobile app.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Se tuck down.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
We all We're all tappen, part of the Giants podcast
network that's going crazy.

Speaker 4 (00:25):
Dogs has a welcome into today's episode of Big Blue
Kickoff Live, presented by Cadillac, the official luxury vehicle of
the New York Football Giants. I'm medel in Burg alongside
Matt Sytak. The phone number here to a one nine
three nine four five one three, where you can find
us on social media using hashtag Giants Chat. We're coming
at you live from the Giants Podcast Studio presented by
Hackensack Meridian Health. Keep getting better and just a reminder

(00:48):
in archive of the show and our entire podcast network
is available on the Giants Mobile app, podcast platforms everywhere
and at giants dot com slash podcasts. It's Thursday. We're
doing a little musical chairs this week. Shout out to
John Schmelk for swapping with me yesterday, stepping in with
Sean and side Tack stepping in for Cassius today. You know,
we're moving and shaking, but we are making contact. Sidetek,

(01:11):
I think this is my first time doing Big Blue
Kickoff live with you.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
I know I said that to Pearson right before we
came on air. Done the show together.

Speaker 4 (01:17):
Before, No, we've done the Giants hang Out together many
a time, but this is our first Big Blue Kickoff live.
So welcome along to the ride. Everyone out there listening
watching all of that. It's raining out here today, which
is disgusting. It's windy, gloomy day. Yeah, my umbrella turned
into a martini and not in the good kind this morning.

(01:39):
But you know what, we're powering through and it's the
day before Halloween, spooky season upon us. So Sidetek, I'm
gonna start with what scares you about this forty nine
Ers game?

Speaker 2 (01:49):
Oh?

Speaker 5 (01:52):
What scares me about this matchup is Christian McCaffrey. And
I would say that even if the Giants run defense
had been, you know, performing at a high level this season,
I would still give that my answer. As we know,
the Giants defense has struggled this year to.

Speaker 2 (02:10):
Say the least.

Speaker 5 (02:12):
You know, the five point seven yards per carry that
they have allowed is the highest in the NFL. Now,
Christian McCaffrey is having the most inefficient season of his
NFL career, which.

Speaker 4 (02:22):
Is also saying, like his NFL career, the bar is
so high. Yes, grading on a curve even low on
that is still high for a lot of other players.

Speaker 2 (02:31):
Yes, no doubt about it.

Speaker 5 (02:33):
But he is averaging only three and a half yards
per carry, which is a career low for him. He
only has four hundred ninety yards on the ground through
eight games. However, he has more than made up for
it in the air because he is one of the
top wh one of the top pass catchers in the
NFL this season. His fifty six receptions ranked second behind

(02:54):
only Jamar Chase. His how many receiving yards five hundred
and fifty nine receiving yards. I believe that ranks eight.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
In the NFL.

Speaker 5 (03:01):
So he is one of the top I guess you
could call it wide receivers in terms of his pass
catching abilities this season, so it is more than made
up for his inefficiency in the run game. He is
second in the NFL in totally yars and scrimmage, behind
only Jonathan Taylor, and he's about seven yards behind him. Yeah,
So even though he hasn't begin done on the ground
other than that one game two weeks ago against the Falcons.

Speaker 2 (03:23):
He's more than made up for it through the air,
but we know that.

Speaker 4 (03:26):
He has the ability in the capacity to do so
right and like we're like you mentioned, he's getting the
yardage from scrimmage, whether it's during the passing game. Maybe
not as efficiently in the run game, but we saw
Saquon Barkley also similar numbers. He was averaging about three
point six three point eight yards per carry coming into
last week's game in which we saw him break open
a couple of big ones and Shane Bowen. Earlier today

(03:48):
he spoke with the media. He did acknowledge that, you know,
the game in Philly was one of the Giants defense's
worst tackling games this season. You know, their gap integrity
is something that they need to continue to focus on.
And talked abob Okak about it last week and he said,
you know, it's not just the front steven that need
to be focused on the gap integrity. It's something that
takes all eleven. And when you've got so many new

(04:09):
faces on the Giants defense, which was so banged up
last week in Philly, not an excuse, but perhaps a
consideration in evaluating something like that. You know, they need
to get on the same page, especially if they're going
to be going into this home game against San Francisco shorthanded.
Now we do see a couple of these guys making
their return to practice today, right yes, So.

Speaker 5 (04:29):
On Holland yesterday return to practice, which is a you know,
welcoming sign. On the flip side, Cordell Flott did not
practice Stillion concussion protocol. As we know, it's not like
a linear path to clear the protocol. No, maybe he
clears in time. Maybe not that We're probably not going
to know for sure until you know, tomorrow at the earliest,

(04:50):
probably Saturday, yea, So.

Speaker 2 (04:54):
Maybe getting Holland back music.

Speaker 5 (04:56):
Flot a debo still, you know, coach said that yet
before practice yesterday, the debo is going to try to
go out there and do something.

Speaker 2 (05:04):
He ended up being listed as did not participate.

Speaker 5 (05:07):
So obviously he's got today and tomorrow as chances to
get back on the practice field take a step in
the right direction. But at least as of right now,
prior to practice on Thursday, I would have to think
that a debo is on the more pessimistic side for
this weekend. If he can get out there and be
a limited participant today or tomorrow, you know, he's got

(05:28):
a shot.

Speaker 2 (05:28):
But we got some.

Speaker 5 (05:30):
Injuries in the secondary, I mean, their injuries on both
sides of the ball, right, And the only thing that
I'm not going to say makes me feel a little
bit better is just that the forty nine ers injury
report is almost twice as long as.

Speaker 4 (05:44):
As ours, right, But they've also been able to you know,
they've got the depth and they've been able to kind
of solve for that in a little bit better ways
than the Giants happened recently.

Speaker 2 (05:55):
Oh for sure.

Speaker 5 (05:55):
And also a lot of the guys that are listed
on the injury report for San Francisco have been dealing
with these injuries for weeks and have still gone out
and played it on Sunday. So, I mean, I'm sure
some of these guys on the forty nine ers very
long list will be unable to go. But you know,
George Kittle will be out there. Christian McCaffrey will be
out there.

Speaker 4 (06:12):
Yeah, I mean, two weeks removed from being on IR
and he you know, his first week back, he was
more in the blocking game the last week. You know,
we saw him putting up numbers.

Speaker 2 (06:20):
Yeah, he was a full participant yesterday. He's fine.

Speaker 5 (06:23):
McCaffrey was did not participate because of rest, so he's
obviously fine. But you know, the quarterback situation for the
forty nine ers is the one to really keep an
eye on.

Speaker 2 (06:32):
Brock Purty.

Speaker 5 (06:33):
He's been in that out of the lineup all season.
He's missed the last couple of games.

Speaker 2 (06:36):
Now, yeah, he's.

Speaker 4 (06:37):
Missed last six. Mac Jones has started six games. Perty
played the first two and.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
He came back. Did he come back at one point?
Like two games?

Speaker 5 (06:45):
He missed a couple of games, he came back, was
not good and clearly was still injured and re injured
it and has been out ever since.

Speaker 2 (06:53):
I don't know exactly how many games, but I know
that mac.

Speaker 4 (06:56):
Jones is what four and two was starting as a
quarterback in his games right there. And Party did return
to practice last week, didn't play last week. There was
question around if he would play last week for the
Niners against Houston. He didn't. Mac Jones got to start again.
So now another question remains. The curious thing though with

(07:19):
you know, oftentimes is a defense when you're preparing for
a quarterback or a backup quarterback, and you're not sure
which quarterback is going to play. You know, you got
to kind of dive into both films and say, Okay,
this guy's tendencies and this guy's tendencies. But so iffice
to say, brock Party and mac Jones are very similar,
and especially in a Kyle Shanahan offense, when it's like
this is the position, this is the job, rather than

(07:39):
here's the player, here's that skill set that you have
to kind of prepare for. You're more preparing for the
scheme than the tendencies of the individual, right one hundred percent.

Speaker 5 (07:48):
You know, I was talking about this with Lance on
Tuesday Show that undoubtedly brock Party is.

Speaker 2 (07:53):
Better than mac Jones.

Speaker 5 (07:54):
There's a reason why one is the backup and one
is making over fifty million dollars a year. However, in
terms as you just mentioned, in terms of preparing for
both of them, I don't think that their games are
like so significantly different. Like maybe Purty is a little
bit more mobile than mac Jones, sure, but other than that,
like you nailed it, you're preparing for Kyle Shanahan's offensive scheme,

(08:16):
which is among the best in the NFL. I mean,
we've seen Kyle Shanahan have success with starting quarterbacks, backup quarterbacks,
third string quarterbacks. It doesn't matter who's under center. He's
able to get the best out of them because they're
just running his system. He's one of the best and
top offensive mines in the league. So I don't really
I don't think it matters too much whether it's brock Purty, yeah,

(08:38):
or mac Jones out there, which Mac Jones also listed
on the injury report. He practiced. He was a full participant,
and I don't think I've ever seen this before. You know,
we got the forty nine ers injury report last night
and I was updating Giants dot Com with it and
it said knee, common knee, and I'm like, that must
be a mistake. It must be repetitive, like they might
just put the same thing twice. No, he has injuries

(08:59):
to both of his knees, right, so you have to
list both of them.

Speaker 2 (09:02):
I don't think I've ever.

Speaker 4 (09:02):
Seen injured in his knee and also his knee.

Speaker 5 (09:05):
Yes, I don't think I've ever seen that before. But
he was a full participant. So if Brockberty is unable
to go. It would definitely be mac Jones. They're not
going to have to go to I think Adrian Martinez
is their third string quarterback. It's not going to get
to that point at least to start the game. If
Brockberty's ruled out, Yeah, then obviously you never know what
happens during the game.

Speaker 4 (09:23):
Well, and also injuries and depth is one thing when
it's like, okay, the drop off is so huge. But
I remember, I think it was the last time the
Niners played at MetLife Stadium when they came in with
Nick Mullen's the third string quarterback and it was just
the ir roster of the San Francisco forty nine ers
and they put it to the Giants and won that game.

(09:44):
So it's not you can't look at them and be like, oh,
this is a backup player. These are still NFL players
whoever is starting at that position and on both sides
of the ball, So it has to be the accountability
and the expectation still has to be there for that
expert for that performance. Talking about though injuries offensive sided
of the ball, you mentioned that as well. Giants are

(10:04):
struggling with quite a few they've kind of made up
for it by going a little bit heavy into like
twelve thirteen personnel leaning on the tight end position. We
know the tight end is a rookie quarterback's best friend,
and it's been pivotal for Jackson Dart, which congratulations by
the way, Jackson Dart named Rookie of the Month Offensive
Rookie of the month, So little kudos there. But you know,

(10:26):
getting things going with Leo Johnson, with Daniel Bellinger, who's
dealing with that neck injury. You got Chris Manhertz, you
got Thomas Fadoni on the roster. But how much can
you rely on the tight end position this week or
are you expecting them to do so, especially considering belly
might be a little banged up.

Speaker 5 (10:44):
Yeah, so as we were came on air, coach did
a flyby oof practice.

Speaker 4 (10:49):
You know, the timing doesn't quite align right now because
BBK is always right as coach is talking.

Speaker 5 (10:54):
So but according to our very own poly dots, Dable
said that there will be no changes to the injury
report other than Jalen Hyatt returning he missed yesterday's practice.
Teeth wisdom tooth removed.

Speaker 4 (11:10):
Well just one yet four.

Speaker 2 (11:14):
On the injury report.

Speaker 5 (11:15):
He was listed as just tooth just one too, but
coach did say he was getting his wisdom.

Speaker 4 (11:19):
He didn't want the Teddy Bridgewater teeth. I don't know why.
That just made me last me too.

Speaker 5 (11:24):
And Greg Van Roden, who just got a veteran rest
day yesterday, they were both returning. But everyone else is
the same, which that's not great news because that means
Daniel Bellinger will once again not practice and Jermaine Iluminor
will once again not practice. Those are the two big
ones we've got our eye on on the offensive side
of the ball at least. You know, if Bellinger's unable

(11:46):
to go, I would think we obviously just see Chris
man Hurts in the elevated role, maybe even a little
Thomas Fadoni mixed in.

Speaker 4 (11:52):
I wouldn't be surprised because I think Fiddoni, you know,
at the beginning of the season's seventh round draft pick,
kind of taking a flyer on this guy. He made
some huge play in the early part of training camp.
But I think that the organization as a whole was
really set on the three tight ends of Belly, THEO,
and Manhurts, and I think that they kind of thought, Okay,
that's what we're going to carry. But Fiddoni played his

(12:12):
way onto the roster and earned that fourth tight end spot.
You know, you don't often see teams taking four tight
ends in that position. So I wouldn't be surprised if
Bellinger can't go if we do see Fiddoni not only
getting an opportunity but also making the most of it.

Speaker 5 (12:27):
Yeah, so I don't think Fiddoni has had many or
any snaps on offense.

Speaker 4 (12:31):
No, A lot of special teams has.

Speaker 5 (12:33):
Been only special teams. Chris Manhertz has been mixed in
a little bit on offense, but also primarily special teams.
I would think if Bellinger is ruled out tomorrow, I
would think that Manhurtz will get more of the snaps
as the second tight end. I do think Fiddoni will
get some opportunities because despite him being a rookie, he's

(12:55):
probably a better pass catching threat than Chris Manhertz is
at this point in his career. Chris Hurts phenomenal blockers,
never really been known too much for his hands.

Speaker 2 (13:04):
Yeah, for catching the ball, so.

Speaker 4 (13:06):
Can he can catch the ball. But I think that
that's you don't think of Man Hurts. You don't put
him in the in there to catch and kind of
put him in there if you're kind of trying to
go jumbo or get a little bit extra.

Speaker 3 (13:16):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (13:16):
Yeah, and he's probably the team's best blocking tight end. Yeah,
I've said this since last year. He's a phenomenal blocker.
But yeah, I do think.

Speaker 4 (13:23):
Fidoni's got hands though I remember Yeah, first I want
to say it was the first practice, but it was
definitely the first week of training camp. I put a
video up on social because it was incredible. This man
just like one handed, little like okay thirteen, Like he
is able to come down with the ball. He's got hands.
And I think because even at Penn State when he
played with the Tyler Warren, Tyler Warren was such a
game wrecker in that way that you know, that is

(13:45):
the guy that you noticed in the tight end position.
But Fidoni was somebody who can, you know, come up
with the ball, you can catch it. And he can
be a little shifty. He's long and like more long, lean, agile,
rather than kind of man Hurts who's built more like
a truck.

Speaker 2 (13:57):
Yeah, Manners is maybe the like put together guy on
the entire team.

Speaker 4 (14:02):
Manners is carved out of stone. And respect that, especially
in the way of like you need that in that protection.

Speaker 2 (14:09):
So yeah, for sure.

Speaker 5 (14:10):
But Fidoni, You're right, Fiddoni did during training camp throughout
the summer, he made more than one of those like
impressive one handy catches. That's what got you know, everyone's
so excited over this.

Speaker 4 (14:19):
And in the preseason games too, And there were moments
during the preseason games where he might have made a
rookie mistake, but then he recovered and made some big
plays and was able to kind of help the team
in those settings. So I think because he earned the
trust of the coaching staff to get a roster spot,
he's been making the most of his special teams play.
I don't know someone to keep an eye on this weekend.

Speaker 2 (14:35):
Yeah for sure.

Speaker 5 (14:36):
I mean, I'm sure you remember when he got the
ball in his hands over the summer and he started
running up the field.

Speaker 2 (14:41):
He looked like a gazelle rode.

Speaker 5 (14:43):
He was a lot quicker and more athletic than I
think any of us were expecting, Yeah, coming in because
he's had, you know, obviously had injury issues during his
time in college. So yeah, I think if Bellinger is
unable to go, obviously we hope Bellinger is able to
get back on the practice field able to make it.
Neck injuries you don't surround, so we'll have to see.

(15:06):
The one that is a little more concerning to me
would be Jermaine Iluminaury. He has been you know, obviously
Andrew Thomas has been amazing since he came back from
his injury week three.

Speaker 2 (15:17):
It's kind of made it seems like a lot.

Speaker 5 (15:19):
Of people overlook Jermaine Aluminor and how well he's really
been playing. He is just completely locked down the right
side of the line. Yeah, and between him and Thomas,
I think this is the best tackle duo the Giants
have had in quite some time. Despite you know, obviously
the positive feelings that surrounded Marcus Bow earlier in the year.
It's obviously a drop off if Jermaina Luminor is unable

(15:42):
to go, whether it's Bo or James Hudson filling in
like it's it's a pretty big drop off.

Speaker 4 (15:48):
It's gonna be a drop off when you go from
your starter to your backup, because that's the reason that's
the starter that's backup, right. It is encouraging that Brian
Nabel did clarify it's not a torn peck. It's a
sore peck for Jermaine Illuminoor. So that's good. It's not
like something that's going to be you know, significant or
require surgery as far as we understand it to be
right now. I would say though, Marcus Bow, yes, you know, yes,
he's a young guy, he's a rookie, he's a backup.

(16:10):
But he has really every time they've asked him to
do something, he stepped up and risen to the occasion.
You see him go in there. They're not calling his name,
they're not pointing him out on the offensive line, and
that I think is a sign of good offensive line
play is when you're not noticing them.

Speaker 5 (16:23):
Oh one hundred percent, and he's I would say he
has been a little up and down with his opportunities.
You know that game that he filled in for James
Hudson coming in during the game he played great.

Speaker 4 (16:35):
Yeah, and James Hudson five straight penalties individually. I think
you know, that was a hard part for him, and
that isn't a testament to his skill set. That was
just a rough moment for him for sure. Yeah.

Speaker 5 (16:46):
But the game, I believe it was that Week one,
was that the season opener.

Speaker 4 (16:50):
I want to say one, yeah, week one, Yeah.

Speaker 5 (16:54):
Week two, Marcus Bow, I would say took a little
bit of a step back. He wasn't quite as strong
as he was coming in in reserve in week one,
So it's just been I guess it's just a little Again,
he hasn't really played much since Andrew Thomas has been back.

Speaker 4 (17:08):
You know, and also so he's a rookie, he's learning
still how to play, how to prepare, how to approach
each week, weekend and week out. And I think there's
a lot of things too that you realize as you
spend time around these guys, is like, oh, you don't
know what you don't know, and you don't know like
certain elements of you know, a game week and preparation
until you kind of go through it. And so I

(17:29):
think that that might also play into a little factor too.

Speaker 5 (17:32):
Yeah, I would think if you know, Marcus Bo's called
to start on Sunday, Yeah, we would see him take
a little bit of a step from earlier in the year, because,
as you mentioned, he's just been around the game now
for an extra five weeks since the last time we
really saw him in extended action. So I do think
he would take at least somewhat of a jump from
you know, that second half of the Week three game
against the Chiefs on Sunday night.

Speaker 2 (17:53):
Obviously, similar to what we said about Baunjio.

Speaker 5 (17:56):
We hope Jermaine is able to just get back on
the practice field tomorrow, he gets in a limited session.
I would think that DA has a pretty good chance.
I mean, we've seen Brian Burns miss practice on Wednesday,
miss practice Thursday, come back as a limited participant Friday,
and then good to go Sunday, right, So if he
can get back Jermaine tomorrow, I would think that would
put him on track to be able to play. If

(18:16):
he is unable to get on the practice field tomorrow again,
that would put him on the more pessimistic side, at
least for Week nine. As you mentioned, Coach Table did
clarify it as not a torn pack. He's not done
for the season. It sounds like it could force him
to miss at least this weekend's game potentially.

Speaker 4 (18:35):
Yeah, and you know, and we're guessing and speculating on
that too, but I think they do want to be
cautious because a sore pack, you know, like anything, if
a muscle is fatigued or sore or depleted in a way.
It is in a circumstance where it could become a
torn pack if you push it too far, And so
they want to be careful, and I would agree with

(18:57):
you there that they would rather have miss one game
to make sure he's good, then push him out for
one game and he ends up missing, you know, a
significant amount because of a worse injury.

Speaker 5 (19:05):
Yeah, I mean, all you gotta do is look at
the other sideline and see happening with the forty nine
ers and Brock Party.

Speaker 2 (19:10):
They rushed him back a little.

Speaker 5 (19:11):
Too soon before he was ready, and it forced him
to then miss another month of the season. Right if
the Giants don't want to do that with Jermaine aluminor
obviously again he's just been holding it down on the
right side of the offensive line.

Speaker 4 (19:23):
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(19:46):
Giants podcasts. You know the deal, like common subscribe, let
us know what you think to A one nine three
nine four five one three is the phone number. Let's
head to the phone lines. We got Alithia in New Jersey. Althia,
thanks for coming again this week. How you doing.

Speaker 6 (20:00):
I'm doing good, Okay.

Speaker 3 (20:02):
I have a couple questions, a couple.

Speaker 6 (20:05):
Things, like three or two things. First about like cam
Skataboo and how it was like grown the energy and
like now we have I know Tracy, he's a great
running back, but like he broke camp Scadwood wasn't just
like about the talent, was about the energy. Also, I'm
just wondering, like we need like some guys to like

(20:25):
step up with like the energy and the height, just
because even Malik said that one game that we lost
and he was still on our team not injured, he
was like saying the energy wasn't right and that's why,
like for the reason he lost. So I just think
we need like people to step up in energy this week.

Speaker 4 (20:43):
I like that I could see that, and you're right,
Tyrone Tracy is a talented running back. I mean how
quickly we forgot he had a thousand yards from scrimmage
last season too, he got injured, Cam Skataboo came in
and made the most of his opportunity. You know, Scat's
injured and it's Tyrone's chance again to step up. But
you know, I think that energy there's not a lot
of Cam Scataboos in this world, and it's hard to
replace that.

Speaker 7 (21:04):
You know.

Speaker 4 (21:04):
It's like there's not a lot of Paul Datino's in
this world too. We can't just all have that same energy.
But I think that the team will do the most
and the best that they can to kind of make
up for it. We saw yesterday at practice, Jackson Dart
was like warming up next to Scatt's helmet. I was like, listen,
this isn't a fallen soldier. He's all right, but he's
just you know, not out there in the practice field.

(21:25):
But you're right, Alathia, this is something like a person
who's already in just a couple of months, made such
an impact on this organization.

Speaker 5 (21:33):
Yeah, I mean, coach Jackson Tyrone, like they've all were
asked basically this exact question, and they all basically said
the same thing, and that no one is going to
be able to replace what Scatt brings, like the energy
that he brings. Right, he is one of one. There's
no one else. I mean, that's why, quite frankly, he's
become very quickly one of the most popular players in

(21:53):
the entire NFL. We have teams, fans from other teams
rooting and cheering for him.

Speaker 4 (21:58):
Big dom visiting and being among the first to visit
him in the hospital.

Speaker 5 (22:02):
Yeah, so in that sense, he's not going to be replaced.
It's just that's irreplaceable. However, Jackson said this when I
talk to the media yesterday, other guys, they are gonna
need other guys to step up and not bring you know,
the scat screaming after every play energy, but bring some energy,
you know, help rise, raise, I guess, motivate, like help

(22:25):
bring the offense as a unit together in the way
that Scatt did, you know, Tyrone Tracy, That's not who
he is as a person. And he said this in
the locker room yesterday. He said, I'm not gonna try
to be Scat. I'm not gonna try to be anyone
other than Tyrone Tracy Junior, and you don't want him
to try to be someone that he's not, right, So
I think Jackson is gonna I mean, he's already shown

(22:47):
some tremendous leadership skills and abilities already over the last month.
He probably is gonna need to even step up a
little bit more in terms of, you know, the locker
room and leadership, and also as a runner. I mean,
we've seen him and the Giants a little bit veer
away from using him as much as a runner as
they did the first couple of games with him as
the starter. But now you lost your battering ram goal

(23:11):
line back right, that might need the They might need
Jackson to sort of pick up a little bit of
those carries.

Speaker 1 (23:18):
I don't know.

Speaker 5 (23:18):
I don't know if they want Tyrone Tracy Junior running
the ball twenty five times like we saw Scat do.

Speaker 4 (23:23):
But also I don't know that they want Jackson to
be the hammer. Uh oh, definitely, because that definitely puts
the quarterback position in a little bit of jeopardy there
as well. So I think proceeding with caution in that way.
But I wouldn't be surprised we saw a few more
design runs or RPOs for what was your second question,
a Athia.

Speaker 3 (23:42):
My second question is about how we were talking about
last time about jam High and how he was like
we're waiting for that game, and how this week he
was a healthy scratch like that means like you know
what that means, Like she wasn't.

Speaker 4 (24:00):
Yeah, he was an active Yeah.

Speaker 6 (24:02):
I was wondering what the plan was for this week,
and because I hate to seem like on the bench.

Speaker 4 (24:10):
Yeah, yeah, no, we're big fans of Jalen High. Thanks
so much for the call, Athia. I think that you know,
it's one of those things too with Hyatt last week
when Darius Layton came back. You know, they've only got
so many spots for wide receivers, and considering the fact
that you know, you've got several of those players like
Gun ro Chevski, little Jordan Humphrey that are also contributing
on special teams, it was a numbers game really. And

(24:35):
he's a talented player. He's as you mentioned, you know,
he's kind of struggled to crack through and you know,
he's had some opportunities, he's made some plays, hasn't hit
that home run yet in that moment, but he's got.
He's got so much talent, and like we talked about
last week, Alethia when you called as well as you know,
my take on him is he is such a skilled

(24:55):
receiver when he can break it open and when he
can get out into the open field. But but when
he's got a man on him, he's not yet skilled
at creating that separation, at getting that coming down with
the ball when he's you know, got a man in
his pocket essentially, and that is just his knock and
that's something that other posing defenses have noticed and have

(25:16):
played him that way and have made it more challenging
for him to come down with it.

Speaker 2 (25:21):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (25:21):
I mean each week coach Jable talks about this. They
kind of are playing roster gymnastics. You know, it's to
get your game day active roster. It's like putting the
piece of a puzzle together. So, yes, Jalen Hyatt was inactive,
but that could have just been because they thought, you know,
they called little Jordan Humphrey up from the practice squad
last week. They probably I assume that they just thought

(25:45):
little Jordan Humphrey was a better matchup with the Eagles
corners than Jalen Hyatt. Little Jordan Humphrey is better at
you know, making those contested catches, as you were just saying,
than Jalen Hyatt is. Now, that doesn't mean that Jalen
HyET is definitely going to be inactive again this week, right,
We don't know. Yeah, I think part of it is
going to depend on whether or not, you know, some
of the guys that the Giants have been relying on

(26:06):
special teams, whether or not they're able to play. I mean,
we haven't discussed our Green also got hurt last week, yeah,
and has not practiced yet, and he is one of
the team's core special teamers, So if he's unable to go,
that could require you know, whoever gets elevated from the
practice squad on Sunday might be someone that, you know,
the Giants could use on special teams, which Jalen Hyatch

(26:27):
just does not. He's not a special team He's not
going to line up a gunner. He's not gonna help
in that facet. So when you're figuring out who to
make active on game day on Sundays, you got to
consider the depth at all the positions, and that does
include special teams, right.

Speaker 4 (26:44):
Yeah, And I think special team so often gets forgotten about,
and sometimes especially when fans are thinking about, oh, well
we need this person at receiver, we need this person
at dB. But you know you also need a returner,
you need gunners, you need a lot to go into
the special teams unit, and you need depth there as well,
and players who are not only familiar with but have
practiced that. You know, we've got Rarey McLeod potentially getting involved.

(27:08):
I know Gobriel was talking about him swimmingly this morning.
Swimmingly is that the word glowingly? Something le something ingle
glowingly will go with and so yeah, but specials But
I know Alithia big Jalen Hyatt fan. So are we
here at BBK and hoping for the best for him.

Speaker 5 (27:26):
I am excited to see whenever he does get called
up or signed to the active roster, what Rarey McLeod
can add to this offense. But to add to the
team both offense and special teams. You know, he's had
a pretty strong track record as a returner throughout his
I believe it's like seven years six seven years in
the NFL. But just last season he had his by

(27:47):
far his best season as a wide receiver. The Atlanta
Falcons that didn't pan out this year. I'm not even
gonna attempt to guess what was going on in Atlanta
this year. He hasn't really added much to the offense
there this season, but caught sixty pass over sixty passes
last year over six hundred yards. You know, he's not
just a returner, He's not just a special steamer. He
can add a little juice to this offense. So whether

(28:09):
it's this week, next week, a month from now, I
am excited to see what, if anything he can just add.

Speaker 4 (28:15):
Yeah, absolutely, get you somebody who could do it. All
Giants fans with another impactful draft and free agency class
in the books. That means it's full steam ahead to
the twenty twenty five season. Take your fandom to the
next level with a Giants season ticket membership and catch
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(28:36):
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a New York Giants season ticket membership, visit Giants dot
com slash tickets to a one nine, three, nine, four
to five one three is a phone number. Let's head
back to the phone lines. Rob in Yonkers. Rob, Welcome
to the show. You're on Big Blue Kickoff Live with
Madeline and Matt.

Speaker 7 (28:56):
Good afternoon, guys. That's what are you doing?

Speaker 3 (28:58):
DM?

Speaker 4 (28:58):
Well, how are you robbing?

Speaker 8 (28:59):
Are you?

Speaker 7 (29:00):
I'm doing good?

Speaker 2 (29:01):
Matt?

Speaker 7 (29:01):
Real quick, I want to run up a bunch of stuff,
but I definitely agree with you. A couple of weeks ago,
you said something about Jason Sehorn about the interception that
was the best interception and to me in NFL history,
that was one.

Speaker 2 (29:13):
Of my favorite all time plays.

Speaker 4 (29:15):
That's incredible.

Speaker 7 (29:16):
Yeah, I wish we had him as our as our
cornerback coach because because our cornerback for some reason, don't
like turning ahead when the receivers looking the other way.
They're looking straight.

Speaker 5 (29:29):
Well, I would say Cornell flatted. That's not really an issue.
It has not been. I mean, he obviously he's at
the concussion last week, but he's been having a really
strong season.

Speaker 2 (29:39):
Flot he's been getting his head around.

Speaker 5 (29:41):
I mean that comment I think is more directed towards
one player, Deontay Banks, who getting his head around that
has been an issue for him since he got into
the NFL.

Speaker 7 (29:50):
Even even Black the one that was thrown in the
Eagles game, and even though he was he was. But
the thing is that he turned around. So even though
it was a fifty to fifty ball, he turned around,
and which is good. So I'm literally, the ball got
caught on you, but at least you turned around, because again,
the other cornerbacks don't like turning around, and sometimes the

(30:11):
ball goes like flying right past their past their helmet. Okay,
so a real quick rundown. As far as Abdu Carter
and Brian Burns, I've been watching all these games. I
think Brian Burns gets a lot of his sack because
of Abdu Carter. It seems like the quarterback is running

(30:31):
from ab Do Carter, he winds up running into Brian Burns.
I'm like, that's I think that's where a lot of
his his stacks are coming from.

Speaker 3 (30:40):
Rob.

Speaker 4 (30:40):
I just want to give you so much credit because
there are several Giants. There are a lot of Giants
fans out there who are complaining about Abdul Carter's lack
of sack numbers and this and that. But I respect
the fact that you can see that sacks come as
accumulative effort and Burns isn't working alone in that and
sometimes yeah, sometimes you're getting pressure from one and you're
getting sacked from the other.

Speaker 7 (30:58):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (30:58):
I mean Abdul does only have half a sack, but
he's top ten in pressures across the NFL.

Speaker 2 (31:04):
Yes, so it's not like he has again after the
quarterback and he.

Speaker 4 (31:07):
Is statistically the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the
Year still because of his play on the field.

Speaker 7 (31:14):
Yeah, and it's the team thing. Every a lot of
a lot of offensive line like they were holding him
by the neck and the Eagles game, and it's like,
I feel there'd be a lot of more flags when
it comes to abdu card because half of the time
you see the defenders holding him by the neck, I'm like,
where's the flag? Why isn't their flag there.

Speaker 5 (31:32):
He'll start to get those, He'll start to get some
of those calls as he gets a little further in
his career.

Speaker 4 (31:36):
I feel that comes like rookies not getting.

Speaker 5 (31:39):
Yeah, I feel like some refs just don't want to
make all the calls for a rookie even though they should,
So those calls will come.

Speaker 7 (31:46):
Yeah, And a few more things that I think I
take it off air, just why did Layton changte his
member from eighty one to eighteen? And Christian McCaffrey, like
you guys, said that he hadn't, he hasn't did a
lot of yards on the ground. Hopefully he doesn't do
it against us, and everyone keeps saying that guy, I

(32:07):
know we have a few more days that when you
could pick up another player. If the free agents or whatever,
everyone is focusing on wide receivers, wide receivers, I think
we should be focused on run stoppers on defense and
also offensive linemen instead of everybody's focused on Odell Beckham
and a bunch of We don't need wide receivers. We
need more run stoppers. And I'll take it up the end.

(32:30):
You guys have a good day.

Speaker 2 (32:31):
Thank you, Rob, Thank you Rob.

Speaker 4 (32:33):
So Slayton, first of all, he didn't pick eighty one.
You know, it was kind of one of those numbers
that kind of came to or eighty six his previous number.
It was that number that kind of gave was given
to him and he wore for the first couple of years,
and then when he had the opportunity to change it,
eighteen was something that is a bit more personal for him,
has a little bit more family ties. So that is
something that he wanted to wear and this was just

(32:55):
the time that he had the opportunity to do it
because it was open.

Speaker 1 (32:58):
Yeah.

Speaker 5 (32:58):
And then in terms of Christian McCaffrey, I mean, as
we said at the start, you know, Saquon Barkley was
struggling mightily this season up until last week. So the
Giants and you better believe that the Giants defense knows
and are well aware of that. And Christian McCaffrey struggles
on the ground this year. They don't want this to
be a get right game for Christian McCaffrey on the

(33:20):
ground as well. He's gonna catch his passes, obviously second
in the league in receptions. He's gonna be a big
part of the passing game. You just can't let him
gash you on the ground like Saquon and Tink Bigsby
did last week.

Speaker 2 (33:34):
I mean, I think they're gonna.

Speaker 4 (33:35):
Yeah, you don't want to see a second in twenty
six convert.

Speaker 5 (33:39):
Yeah, I mean, I you said the stat on the
Show with Lance on Tuesday. But the Giants have gotten
their opponents to a either first and long due to
a penalty or a second and long ten plus yards
thirty five times this season, and twenty five of those
thirty five occasions resulted in a first down for the
opposing offense. That's a stat that obviously you need to

(34:02):
work on. If you force a team into second and long,
you can't be allowing them to get first downs at
that high.

Speaker 2 (34:08):
Of a rate.

Speaker 4 (34:08):
So I'm gonna start calling you stat Sidetach.

Speaker 5 (34:11):
This is like you got the numbers for all the
articles I have to write for Giants dot com. I
run across a lot of different stats.

Speaker 4 (34:18):
Stat Sidetach over here. Numbers never lie. He's got them covered.

Speaker 2 (34:22):
Uh so, yeah, we cannot. I don't love that stat,
but that's not a very good one.

Speaker 5 (34:27):
So they gotta you know, I and we spoke about
this last week as well. It's been a big topic
of conversation. The Giants have just on runs to the outside,
have been unable to stop opponents. Yeah, they have allowed
the highest success rate on runs to the outside of
any team in the last decade. Saquon and Bigsby both
had a lot of success running the ball to the

(34:48):
outside last week. It's going to start with the edge
rushers who Brian Burns obviously having a good season at Due.
We just talked about Kivon having a good season. As
pass rushers, they need to set the edge in the
run game. They cannot allow Christian McCaffrey to bounce it outside,
especially if you're gonna have potentially multiple backups starting in

(35:09):
the secondary. You're not gonna want those guys in one
on one situations trying to bring down Christian mccaffy because
he's very difficult.

Speaker 2 (35:16):
To bring down one on one in open field.

Speaker 5 (35:19):
If the edge rushers can set the edge, you know
gets pushed the lineman. I mean for Brian Birds, it's
gonna be tough with Trent Williams on the other side
of the shot. But you can push him back and
not allow McCaffrey to bounce it outside. That's gonna let
all the guys you have in the box the opportunity
to bring him down for a short or no gain whatsoever.
So that is gonna be a big key on Sunday.

Speaker 4 (35:42):
I also think the key, too, is not just you know,
it's trust. It's execution and trust. I think you got
to execute your job and trust your teammate to do theirs.
And oftentimes when we watch the Giants defense, you know,
give up a big play. You can see one player
not in their gap assignment, and why is that okay?
Because he didn't trust that that guy was going to

(36:03):
be there. Even though that guy was supposed to be
he didn't trust that this was going to get taken
care of. So he's kind of looking to make sure
it's taken care of before he does what he has
to do, instead of just executing your role and trusting
the people around you are doing theirs too. And I
think some of that comes with, you know, changing pieces
and saying, Okay, this is a new person at that position.
Let me make sure they know what they do. But
you know what, do your job, execute your job well,

(36:26):
because if you're trying to do your job but also
trying to like help them do theirs, then you're not
fully doing your job and you're leaving room for the
offense to kind of break through a big hole.

Speaker 2 (36:35):
Yeah, no doubt about it.

Speaker 5 (36:36):
And just real quick on the final point that Rob
brought up in terms of, you know, potential targets to
add to the roster, I don't think the Giants need
offensive lineman and defensive lineman right now. I mean, those
are two areas.

Speaker 4 (36:49):
Obviously, I mean you always do.

Speaker 2 (36:51):
But yeah, fair Obviously.

Speaker 5 (36:53):
Jermaine Alumno right now is dealing with this peck injury.
But overall, the offensive line has been healthy. I mean,
Josh as you do, who has been sitting on ir
designated a return. That's another body that hasn't you know,
hasn't even been added to the roster that is there
if and when the time comes where someone does get
hurt up front and they need a little more depth.

Speaker 2 (37:13):
And the offensive line has been playing well.

Speaker 5 (37:15):
The offensive I mean for years we spoke about how
the offensive line was really, you know, kind of the
achilles heel of this team. But and I know PFF
numbers are not everything and not the end all be all,
but in this week's offensive line rankings, the Giants were
up from PFF. The Giants were up to fifteen, right
in the middle of the pack. And as we said
going into the season, all the Giants offensive line needs

(37:37):
to be is middle of the pack. They don't need
to be an elite, top tier unit in order for
this offense to have success.

Speaker 2 (37:42):
And we've seen it.

Speaker 5 (37:43):
We've seen Jackson Dart succeed behind this offensive line. With
Andrew Thomas back, really the whole unit taking a step up.
So I don't necessarily know. I mean, you're right in
that you can never have enough offensive lineman, but that's
just one area where they have not yet knock on.

Speaker 2 (37:58):
Wood been hit with injuries. So I don't think.

Speaker 4 (38:01):
Yet just gonna knock on all the wood for that one.

Speaker 5 (38:03):
Obviously that can change very quickly. Yeah, But the same
kind of goes with the defensive line. I mean you
have in the interior, you have Decks, you have Nacho,
you have Roy Robertson Harris, you have Darius Alexander, who's
a third round pick who's shown some flashes, who just frankly,
I think he's playing something like twenty five percent of
snaps the last couple of weeks because of all those
veterans you have in front of him. So I know

(38:24):
the run defense has obviously struggled. I just don't know
necessarily if you know, trading a late round pickswap for
another team's defensive linement that they don't really want anymore,
if that is gonna, you know, provide such a boost
to the run defense at this point, you know that
could be an area you decide to address in the offseason. Sure, yeah,
but as in terms of mid.

Speaker 4 (38:45):
Season at a priority right now.

Speaker 5 (38:47):
Yeah, there's a reason why, you know, all the rumors
and buzz have been around the wide receiver position because
that is a position that the Giants obviously lost mylik neighbors,
have dealt with some injuries to other guys like.

Speaker 4 (38:58):
And there's also a lot of teams that need wide
receivers and a lot of teams that you could see
moving off of their wide receivers. So that is a
position that I wouldn't be surprised if we saw several
of them hiring moving companies next week. So we shall
see how it all unfolds. We're getting some YouTube comments
as well, starting with Greg Denham, is McLeod going to
be able to suit up? And Turbo ravery McLoud we'd

(39:19):
love to see it. We'll see how that goes. It
depends on who they decide to activate on game day.
Turbo another player, great running back, Giants fan favorite, speed
Monster and with Scataboo out, I wouldn't be surprised, but
I don't know if they go three.

Speaker 5 (39:37):
Yeah, if you'd asked me this at the beginning of
the season, given the situation, I would say, Yo, for
sure Turbo will be you know, brought up. But when
Tyron Tracy got hurt, he was not brought up those
two weeks, right, So is there a chance? Yeah, but
I don't know for sure.

Speaker 4 (39:54):
We see all that one in a million talk.

Speaker 8 (39:56):
Huh.

Speaker 5 (39:57):
We've seen them roll with two running backs before, right,
especially given all the other injuries throughout the roster. I
can't say I'd be shocked if they only go with
Tracy and Singletary.

Speaker 4 (40:08):
It's gonna depend, I think on how much depth they
needed other positions, and with the giants, you know, dbs
banged up the way that they are, they might need
to kind of use those numbers there.

Speaker 5 (40:17):
Yeah, because we're looking at potentially being without not only
a debo and flat potentially Holland Art Green, who is
your depth corner, but also a key special teamer. That's
four guys already that are normally on your game day roster. Yeah,
so it's it's gonna be more, you know, roster gymnastics,
come come Saturday.

Speaker 4 (40:36):
Round off, back, handspring, back twist, whatever it is. As
long as you stick the landing, we're good with it.
Jos Sol says, party isn't really that much better than
Mac Jones'. Most backups are there because of situation, not talent.
It's kind of similar to what we were talking about earlier,
although jo Sol put it in a little bit of
a harsher term, but yeah, it is. They are both

(40:58):
very systematic driven quarterbacks who thrive because they execute the system.

Speaker 8 (41:04):
Well.

Speaker 2 (41:04):
Yeah, yeah, and I mean yes and no, yes, agree that.

Speaker 4 (41:11):
Yeah, I feel like the term system quarterback has become
like a connotation of like an insult, and I didn't.
I don't mean it that way. It's more of like
the first that they are able to do and execute
in a way that there isn't you know, whoever can
jump in can do.

Speaker 5 (41:23):
Yeah, and I agree with you on that completely. And
again we've seen Kyle Shanahan have success with Nick Mullins
at quarterback. Yeah, with the of Joshua Dobbs at one point,
I think.

Speaker 4 (41:34):
Joshua do play for everyone, but yeah, the Niners regardless.

Speaker 5 (41:38):
Yes, in that sense, I think there are a lot
of different quarterbacks, both starters and backups, that could succeed
in Kyle Shanahan's system. However, as I said earlier, there
is a reason why Brock Purdy just got signed to
a extension paying him I think it's fifty five million
dollars a year. And why Mac Jones has been a
backup the last couple of seasons signed a one year,

(42:00):
like three.

Speaker 2 (42:01):
Million dollar deal. There is a reason for that.

Speaker 5 (42:04):
So it might not be the same difference between you know,
Lamar Jackson and his backup Cooper Rush in Baltimore. Sure,
but there's still a pretty somewhat significant difference between the
talent level of Rock Purty and Mac Jones.

Speaker 4 (42:18):
There is a difference because they chose Perty as a
starter and Mac is the backup, and they clearly saw
something that gave them the trust to do that.

Speaker 2 (42:27):
Oh.

Speaker 5 (42:27):
I do think the way he's played this season, Mac
Jones has a chance next year to be one of
those quarterbacks signs with the team where he's competing to
be a starter.

Speaker 2 (42:37):
It will surprised me.

Speaker 4 (42:39):
Yeah, he could have his Sam Darnold story arc kind
of a situation. Richard Armstrong p dot stat side tech.
We need a nickname for Madeline. First of all, Richard,
I'm glad you like stat side attack. Let's make it
stick like glue, because I feel like it's very appropriate
can't nickname yourself though, t Bone, I can't just pull
a George Costanza. So these things have to happen organic,

(43:00):
so thin that. Yeah, drop some suggestions in the comments.
We'll see how it goes. Maybe maybe over the course
of time, we'll we'll come up with one. I always
say mad dog. Yeah, mad dog is a classic. Yeah,
that's what my entire family calls me, weirdly. Two G yeah,
do double G. Anyways, as as obviously as it is,
you look at me and the first thing you think

(43:21):
is mad dog. Right, That's kind of why it's great.
But yeah, we'll see, We'll keep it evolving. Let us
know what you think in the comments. Giants fans, The
Giants official connected TV streaming app, Giants TV brings original
video content and game highlights on demand and direct to
Big Blue fans. Giants TV is free on Apple TV, Roku,
and Amazon Fire TV and on the Giants mobile app.

(43:44):
To A one nine three three is the phone number.
Let's go back to the phone lines, Jamie and Summit. Jamie,
you're on Big Blue Kickoff Live with Madeline and Stats.
I Tech.

Speaker 9 (43:57):
Just is hearing a couple of things that Jacksonville wishes
to get rid of Brian Thomas for some reason. And
if I don't know, if I'm Joe Shane, I think
I make that phone call for a third rounder just saying,
you know, he was neighbors teammate and l s U
kid can fly, he does it all. He was actually
drafted after Neighbors. I believe a couple of spots. And

(44:20):
I'm also believing that you gotta believe this is Keveon
Thibodeau's you know, swan song today or this weekend, because
he didn't they didn't pick up his fifth year option.
And honestly, he's playing the run better than he ever has,
and I don't ever believe that the sack numbers are
going to be there. He's just not that type of player.

Speaker 2 (44:43):
So I do believe, Yeah, Jamie, they did.

Speaker 4 (44:48):
The Giants did pick up They didn't pick up Evan Nels.

Speaker 9 (44:53):
They did pick Yeah, you're correcting me, thank you?

Speaker 5 (44:56):
So yeah, all good. So he is under contract through
the end of next season. Obviously, we had no idea
what might happen between today and Tuesday, the NFL trade deadline.
There was a report from Mike Garifolo, who is one
of the you know, most reputable well connected NFL insiders

(45:17):
in the league. There was a report yesterday I believe
it was yesterday or Tuesday that said it looks like
the Giants will not look to trade Cavon. You know why,
why take away from one of your biggest strains is
how we put it so anything could happen if a
team comes in and offers some godfather offer with where

(45:37):
the Giants are this year, like you have to pick
up the phone, I mean calls, but.

Speaker 4 (45:42):
This is draft season and trade deadline season are lying season.
You know, we have heard so many things from front
offices across the league. You know, We've heard even here
we didn't sign them, to trade them and then things happen. However,
I would assume that if they are putting out there
like hey, this is not something that we're focusing on.
To Matt's point, I think it's going to be unless

(46:04):
an offer comes in that you simply cannot refuse.

Speaker 5 (46:07):
Especially you know, with it being Mike Garrafolo who used
to be a beat reporter in this building. Yeah, I mean,
he's not connected, he's not going to put that out.

Speaker 4 (46:16):
He's not got bad information. But what I'm saying is
he could be right now and then next week something
could change or it could be completely true. But I
think at this point, you know, things are so in flux.
I would not expect though, long story long, I would
not expect Caveon Thibodeau to be on a different team
and this time next month.

Speaker 5 (46:33):
I would be surprised if at this time next week
he's not a member of the Giants. Sure, anything can
happen in terms of your first point with Brian Thomas Junior.
If that's all it would cost.

Speaker 2 (46:45):
In a trade, yes, let's go.

Speaker 5 (46:48):
Like I have a feeling, you know, he has obviously
struggled this year, but he's coming off a pretty phenomenal
rookie season.

Speaker 2 (46:56):
Yes, last season.

Speaker 5 (46:57):
I would find it very hard to believe that Jacksonville
would be willing to give him up for that little
just you know, even with his.

Speaker 2 (47:04):
Struggles this season.

Speaker 5 (47:05):
Yeah, I would be shocked if that's all, If that's
all it would take, If that's all it would take,
I think there are two at least two thirds of
the NFL that would in a heartbeat make that a deal.

Speaker 4 (47:16):
Yes, yeah, I mean in their four and three second
in the AFC South right now, I don't think that
they're looking to blow it all up for a draft pick.

Speaker 5 (47:23):
And I think they drafted Travis Hunter with the thought
of pairing him on offense with Brian Thomas Junior.

Speaker 9 (47:29):
Yeah. Team, I can't even believe that I've even heard
they want to get rid of him.

Speaker 5 (47:34):
I mean, I was surprised when I saw those reports too.
I was very surprised coming off the year he had
last year. Yeah, it doesn't make any sense.

Speaker 4 (47:43):
Yeah, Jamie, thanks so much for the call today.

Speaker 2 (47:46):
Ye, thank you, Jamie.

Speaker 4 (47:47):
Thank you have a good one two A one nine
five one three. Let's go back to the phone lines
Dean and Minnesota. Dean, thanks for calling in your big
Blue kickoff Live. How's it going.

Speaker 2 (47:59):
I match, Hey, how's it going good?

Speaker 9 (48:02):
Good?

Speaker 8 (48:03):
I have a few questions if time allows me to
the first one. I know you referred to Madeline. You're
referred earlier to Matt as that Matt. So speaking of that, Matt,
question for you is do we have statistics that shows
this year and last season? This season, last season, who's
the team who has the highest number of injuries?

Speaker 2 (48:25):
I don't have that off on me right now.

Speaker 4 (48:28):
There is something, Yeah, they exist somewhere, but I think
it'll take some time to curate that.

Speaker 2 (48:33):
That would take a little bit of time to find
and we only have fun.

Speaker 8 (48:37):
Yeah, yeah, because understandably that has a lot to do
with how they end up performing in a given season.

Speaker 5 (48:43):
You know, Yeah, I don't think the Giants. I don't
think the Giants would be that high up the list
this year.

Speaker 4 (48:49):
Though, yeah, last year, maybe this year, and of course,
but I think if you if you consider its number
of injuries versus impact of injuries, that's like the fact
that Malik neighbors in Camp Scattaboo like those would have
such higher point value. Essentially, if we're grading on that,
then you know, some other players took the words out
of my mouth.

Speaker 8 (49:08):
So yeah, it would be interesting if these stats are available,
so I can I can have them handy. The other thing,
the other point I want to emphasize is I want
to highly emphasize the importance of having a motivating coach.

Speaker 9 (49:24):
That makes a big difference.

Speaker 8 (49:26):
A good motivating coach can make can bring the best
out of his players. And to be honest with you,
at the end of last season, I was hoping that
we can get the Sanders package. I think Dan Sanders
is a very good motivators. I expect him to be
in the NFL next year, probably with the Jacksonville or
with the Cleveland and he would be bringing the best
out of his players. But as to me, that's very

(49:49):
important issue that probably we don't we're not benefiting from
at this.

Speaker 4 (49:54):
Point, I would disagree. I think Brian Abele is a
very motivating coach. I think the players really respect and
enjoy playing for him. And you know, one thing is
not like the other. Doesn't mean Dean Sanders is not
also a good coach. I think that there's you know,
many mark my word.

Speaker 8 (50:16):
I think he will be in the NFL next year,
and I think he will do very good with whoever team,
whatever team he will end up coaching.

Speaker 7 (50:22):
All Right, That's what I expect, addiction, and.

Speaker 8 (50:24):
Also I expect a lot from Fredoni, and I am
surprised that he has not had any offensive snaps so far.
I do expect him to have played this coming game against.

Speaker 4 (50:34):
The Niners awesome, I really do awesome. Yeah, Well, we
agree with you Dean there, and thank you so much
for the call on on BBK today because I think
we you know, like we talked about earlier on the show.
For Doni is a guy who might have an opportunity
might on offense. And it's not that he hasn't had
offensive snaps for skill or ability, it's more just depth.

Speaker 5 (50:56):
Yeah, I mean, I think the biggest reason why we
have not seen Fidoni play at all on offenses just
because of how well Daniel Bellinger has been playing. He's
really you had, I think, in my opinion, his best
season in the NFL so far.

Speaker 4 (51:11):
But again, if he's and Bellinger's overcome a lot, I mean,
he broke his eye. How does that even happen?

Speaker 7 (51:17):
Like it?

Speaker 5 (51:18):
It was got enough to such a good start his
year and then he had that injury and that clearly
derailed him for the rest of his rookie year. Seemed
like he even affected him in year two. Then you
know Theo Johnson was brought in last year for whatever reasons.
He is enjoying his best season so far, so hopefully
he's able to make it back on the field this weekend.

(51:38):
And then, just in terms of the second point Dean made,
the one thing you can't say about Brian Dable is
that the players don't want to still play for him,
even in the last couple of seasons. Where things have
obviously gone off the rails in terms of the record
of the team and just the direction of the team,
the whole entire locker room still stands up and fights

(52:00):
for Brian Dable and you know, are very vocal about
how much they still believe in him and support him.
So you can say what you want about him. That
is not something you can say that that that he
doesn't motivate his players to want to play, because that
is one of the things I think he is best.

Speaker 4 (52:14):
At, right, I agree, And I think he's somebody that
is beloved in this building, in this organization, in that
locker room especially, And that's not to say that other
coaches around the league or around the sport aren't, but
I think that you know, while Dean was trying to
make the point of the of a coach that he prefers,
you know, potato tomato, doesn't mean that the Giants don't
already have a coach who's doing just that and motivating

(52:34):
the team.

Speaker 5 (52:35):
Decaders might end up being a great coach in the NFL. YEA,
he is a good He was a good coach in college. Yeah,
wouldn't surprise me at all. But the one thing he
did say Dean was he wanted this Sanders package. That
would mean that Jackson Dart is not here right now.
And I think we're all pretty happy that Jackson Dart
is the quarterback of the gen.

Speaker 4 (52:50):
Yeah, the NFL offensive rookie of the month, and no
disrespect to Shdoor Sanders, but he hasn't yet made his
way into a starting role yet with Cleveland, and so
he's still working through something there. And he could also
turn out to be such an incredible player too in
his time. But I think the Giants are in a
good position with where they are. All Right, we got
to wrap it up because some of us have places

(53:11):
to be here and some of us have commutes to
make sidetech in this rain out here today. So thank
you guys for listening to a Thursday.

Speaker 7 (53:19):
Now.

Speaker 4 (53:20):
I'm like, what day is it? We're all thrown off
or musical chairs this week on BBK, But thanks for
tuning into a Thursday edition A Big Blue Kickoff Live
brought to you by Cadillac, the official luxury vehicle of
the New York Giants. We've been coming to you from
the Giants Podcast Studio, presented by Hackensack Maritian Health. Keep
getting better. For Matt sidetack, I mean sorry, excuse me
for stat side tack. I'm mad dog. That's been a

(53:43):
wrap for Big Blue Kickoff Live, a part of the
Giants podcast platforms everywhere in giants dot com, slash podcasts.
We'll see you next time.